Solar panel and solar cell having in-plane solar cell interconnect with integrated diode tab

Abstract

An interconnect for connecting first and second solar cells comprises a base portion having a first distal section and a first intermediate section, with the first distal and intermediate sections being integral with the base portion and capable of fixture to the first solar cell. An extension tab is integral to the first distal section, with the extension tab being capable of fixture to a front side of the second solar cell. A diode tab is integral to the first intermediate section, with the diode tab being capable of fixture to a diode side of the second solar cell, such diode side being on a side opposite to the front side. Solar panels comprising solar cells interconnected with such interconnects are suitable for both terrestrial and non-terrestrial applications.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An interconnect for connecting first and second solar cells, comprising: 
       a base portion capable of fixture to said second solar cell, wherein said base portion comprises a distal section, a mid section, and an intermediate section;  
       an extension tab integral to said base portion and capable of fixture to said first solar cell; and  
       a diode tab integral to said base portion, said diode tab adjacent said intermediate section, and capable of fixture to a diode in said first solar cell.  
     
     
       2. The interconnect of  claim 1 , wherein said base portion comprises a first distal section and a second distal section. 
     
     
       3. The interconnect of  claim 1 , wherein said base portion comprises a plurality of intermediate sections. 
     
     
       4. The interconnect of  claim 1 , wherein said base portion comprises a material in a periodic pattern. 
     
     
       5. The interconnect of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of extension tabs. 
     
     
       6. An interconnect for connecting first and second solar cells, comprising: 
       a base portion having a distal section and an intermediate section, said distal and intermediate sections being capable of fixture to said first solar cell;  
       an extension tab fixed to said distal section, said extension tab being capable of fixture to said second solar cell; and  
       a diode tab fixed to said intermediate section, said diode tab being capable of fixture to a diode in said second solar cell.  
     
     
       7. The interconnect of  claim 6 , wherein said distal and intermediate sections are integral with said base portion. 
     
     
       8. The interconnect of  claim 6 , wherein said extension tab is integral with said distal section. 
     
     
       9. The interconnect of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of extension tabs fixed to said distal section. 
     
     
       10. The interconnect of  claim 6 , wherein said diode tab is integral with said intermediate section. 
     
     
       11. The interconnect of  claim 6 , wherein said extension tab is capable of fixture to a first side of said second solar cell and said diode tab is capable of fixture to a second side of said second solar cell. 
     
     
       12. An interconnect for connecting first and second solar cells, comprising: 
       a base portion having a first distal section and a first intermediate section, said first distal and intermediate sections being integral with said base portion and capable of fixture to said first solar cell;  
       an extension tab integral to said first distal section, said extension tab being capable of fixture to a front side of said second solar cell; and  
       a diode tab integral to said first intermediate section, said diode tab being capable of fixture to a diode side of said second solar cell, said diode side being on a side opposite to said front side.  
     
     
       13. The interconnect of  claim 12 , further comprising a second distal section integral with said base portion. 
     
     
       14. The interconnect of  claim 13 , wherein said second distal section is disposed on one side of said first intermediate section and said first distal section is disposed on an opposite side of said first intermediate section. 
     
     
       15. The interconnect of  claim 12 , further comprising a mid section integral with said base portion. 
     
     
       16. The interconnect of  claim 15 , wherein said mid section is disposed on one side of said first intermediate section and said first distal section is disposed on an opposite side of said first intermediate section. 
     
     
       17. The interconnect of  claim 15 , further comprising a second intermediate section integral with said base portion. 
     
     
       18. The interconnect of  claim 17 , wherein said second intermediate section is on one side of said mid section and said first intermediate section is disposed on an opposite side of said mid section. 
     
     
       19. An interconnect for connecting first and second solar cells in a solar cell panel, comprising: 
       a base portion having a plurality of sections including a plurality of intermediate sections and a plurality of connecting portions, said plurality of connecting portions being capable of fixture to said second solar cell;  
       an extension tab integral to said base portion, said extension tab being capable of fixture to a front side of said first solar cell; and  
       a diode tab integral to said base portion adjacent one of said intermediate sections, said diode tab being capable of fixture to a diode side of said first solar cell.  
     
     
       20. The solar panel of  claim 19 , wherein said plurality of sections further comprises a first distal section, a second distal section, and a mid section disposed therebetween. 
     
     
       21. The solar panel of  claim 20 , wherein said extension tab is fixed to either said first distal section or said second distal section. 
     
     
       22. The interconnect of  claim 20 , wherein said plurality of intermediate sections is disposed among said first distal section, second distal section and mid section. 
     
     
       23. An interconnect for connecting first and second solar cells in a solar cell panel, comprising: 
       a base portion having a plurality of sections capable of fixture to said second solar cell, wherein said plurality of sections comprises a first distal section, a second distal section, and a mid section disposed therebetween, said base portion further comprising a plurality of intermediate sections disposed among said first distal section, second distal section and mid section;  
       at least on extension tab integral to said base portion, said at least one extension tab being capable of fixture to a front side of said first solar cell; and  
       a diode tab integral to said base portion, said diode tab being capable of fixture to a diode side of said first solar cell, wherein said diode tab is fixed to one of said intermediate sections.  
     
     
       24. The solar panel of  claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of extension tabs fixed to a first edge of said plurality of sections. 
     
     
       25. The interconnect of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of second extension tabs fixed to a second edge of said plurality of sections and capable of fixture to said first solar cell, said second edge being disposed opposite to said first edge.